1 Modulus Plastic Nylon Worm Gear Wheel 10T-80T & A B L Steel Worm Gear Shaft

The gear ratio of a worm drive equals the number of teeth on the wheel divided by the number of starts on the worm shaft (typically 1 for single-start worms). For example, a 40T wheel with a 1-start shaft gives a 40:1 reduction. Select a tooth count that delivers the output speed and torque your motor and load require. Higher tooth counts produce greater reduction and more torque multiplication.

Measure the outer diameter of your motor or gearbox output shaft with a caliper. Available bores are 5 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, and 13 mm. The bore should match your shaft diameter exactly — a loose fit will cause slippage under load. If your shaft uses a keyway, confirm the wheel bore accommodates it before ordering.

The shaft type refers to the geometry of the shaft extension beyond the worm thread. A-type and B-type differ in shaft length and shoulder configuration, making them suited to different housing and bearing arrangements. L-type shafts feature a longer shaft extension for applications requiring additional support or coupling length. Select the type that matches your gearbox housing or bearing block design.

Engineering-grade nylon (PA) worm wheels are well-suited for light-to-medium duty applications such as robotics joints, small actuators, and positioning stages. Nylon offers good compressive strength and fatigue resistance at moderate loads. For heavy-duty or high-torque applications, consider a metal worm wheel. If you are unsure whether nylon is appropriate, share your torque and duty-cycle requirements and we can advise.

Yes. The stainless steel shaft variants offer significantly better corrosion resistance than 45# carbon steel shafts, making them suitable for humid environments, light washdown conditions, or applications where surface rust would be problematic. For fully submerged or highly corrosive environments, additional sealing of the assembly is recommended.

Worm gear drives with a low lead angle (typical of single-start, 1-modulus worms) are inherently self-locking — the worm can drive the wheel, but the wheel cannot back-drive the worm under static load. This makes them suitable for positioning stages, lifts, and actuators that must hold position when the motor is de-energized. Confirm the lead angle of your specific shaft variant if self-locking is a critical requirement.

Nylon is naturally self-lubricating, so the wheel can run dry in many light-duty applications. For higher speeds or continuous-duty cycles, a small amount of compatible grease (e.g., lithium-based or PTFE grease) applied to the mesh contact area will extend service life and reduce heat buildup. Avoid petroleum-based oils that may swell or degrade the nylon over time.